The LAF Games Workshop Discussion Thread

[beefcake]

Eugh... I hated the MTO  approach for the Orcs and Goblin release...
What was it? A weeks availability on a giant, trolls, a character on a wyvern... major units for the army and I couldn't justify or afford ordering all of that within a single week and I now have no chance!

Me too. I was really keen on some stone trolls and river trolls but the timing didn't suit me at all. Now I probably would have bought a whole bunch of them. I'll just look for good deals on ebay.

[Condottiere]

Eugh... I hated the MTO  approach for the Orcs and Goblin release...
What was it? A weeks availability on a giant, trolls, a character on a wyvern... major units for the army and I couldn't justify or afford ordering all of that within a single week and I now have no chance... and it doesn't look to be something that the other armies went through... anything coming out for Brets, TK and Dwarfs seem to be available (well...  ...) and not MTO as far as I can recall...

And yes... no timeframes on things you have to rush out to purchase if you want any chance of getting it...

Grrr...    .    Table Flip!!!!!!!

Brets and TK did have some stuff that were limited MTO, but characters and unit champions IIRC. AFAIK, the Dragon Company is the only MTO for Dwarfs. I don't understand the arbitrariness of what's MTO and what's general release, which will be out of stock for months. 

[Condottiere]

Me too. I was really keen on some stone trolls and river trolls but the timing didn't suit me at all. Now I probably would have bought a whole bunch of them. I'll just look for good deals on ebay.

I'd suggest Facebook trading groups, as eBay prices are keeping pace with MTO releases and general re-releases - so much for combating scalpers!

[Pattus Magnus]

It looks to me like in their marketing and release strategies GW is trying to use the FOMO (fear of missing out) psychology that is so widespread on social media. Basically make nearly everything a special release with a short time frame, and erratically make them available for short periods after the initial release. Also fits with the low initial availability they’re doing now when releasing products, so fans complete with each other to get the early release, even if the prices are exorbitant.

They saw it working for the high tech sector, ex the iPhone version treadmill with folks camping out in line to get the new release on day 1, and have adapted that model to wargaming. It’s an effective tactic for maximizing short run profits, but guaranteed to piss off established hobbyists (and local game retailers who rely on those buyers), and push them into alternative suppliers like eBay (see comments above). It also sends folks toward 3rd party and 3D printed equivalents (if the buyer isn’t worried about participating in the tournament scene).

I have no idea how GW’s longer term profits will be impacted by the tactic. It seems to be working out for them so far, but it puts me off buying their products, even when I would otherwise be interested (like with the Old World releases).

[Condottiere]

I might not ask for a refund and use the $40 for Bugman's Cart, as it was something I wanted back in the day. I've read that the rules are in the latest Arcane Journal, but will check to see what it's like on my next high seas journey.

[dickiegranthum]

It looks to me like in their marketing and release strategies GW is trying to use the FOMO (fear of missing out) psychology that is so widespread on social media. Basically make nearly everything a special release with a short time frame, and erratically make them available for short periods after the initial release. Also fits with the low initial availability they’re doing now when releasing products, so fans complete with each other to get the early release, even if the prices are exorbitant.

They saw it working for the high tech sector, ex the iPhone version treadmill with folks camping out in line to get the new release on day 1, and have adapted that model to wargaming. It’s an effective tactic for maximizing short run profits, but guaranteed to piss off established hobbyists (and local game retailers who rely on those buyers), and push them into alternative suppliers like eBay (see comments above). It also sends folks toward 3rd party and 3D printed equivalents (if the buyer isn’t worried about participating in the tournament scene).

I have no idea how GW’s longer term profits will be impacted by the tactic. It seems to be working out for them so far, but it puts me off buying their products, even when I would otherwise be interested (like with the Old World releases).

FOMO and anything related to social media psychology is crap. I don’t buy in when that is the tactic.

Also: there’s a tournament scene, still? Weird!

[beefcake]

I'd suggest Facebook trading groups, as eBay prices are keeping pace with MTO releases and general re-releases - so much for combating scalpers!

I'm on them too

[Pattus Magnus]

Dickiegranthum, I agree. I’m definitely not endorsing GW’s recent (past 4-5 years) tactics, just describing what they’re doing. I hopped off the GW hamster wheel ages ago.

[Belligerentparrot]

It looks to me like in their marketing and release strategies GW is trying to use the FOMO (fear of missing out) psychology

I'm sure it is partly that, and also (this next bit I was told by someone who works at the main site) partly a response to the increased disruption/pressures caused by Covid and Brexit and the energy crisis. Global supply chains aren't what they were, and for a while there they were notably more tenuous than usual, and energy bills skyrocketed in the UK for a while in an already tougher economic environment. Given all that, GW saw some wisdom in making sure supply doesn't outstrip demand. Contrast that with their massive overproduction compared to sales in the past (e.g. Gorkamorka).

Not defending them, just suggesting that it is more complex than pure exploitation of consumers. 

[Duncan McDane]

Given all that, GW saw some wisdom in making sure supply doesn't outstrip demand. Contrast that with their massive overproduction compared to sales in the past (e.g. Gorkamorka).
Not defending them, just suggesting that it is more complex than pure exploitation of consumers.

If that were the case they'd make 2nd and 3rd production runs if there has been demand enough. But their tactic is now first a major on tome only box release and when it's sold out it's gone forever. Afterwards they split it up in two factions and release the terrain seperatly, so if yo0u want to buy in later you'll be looking at some 40-50% price increase if not more. If everything still is available.
That and their rapid recycling of editions of games had stopped me from buying their stuff some 3 years ago now ( after having already reentered 3 or 4 years earlier ). It,s just not my way of enjoying the hobby but if other people do, why not?
My problem is I still have starter boxes filled with sprues from 2 previous editions and the new thing is released already. Too quick and if you don't buy in, well, bad luck. I prefer other games now with a longer lifespan and - if possible - metal / resin models or at least models that don't consist of 8+ parts a pop. Too time consuming. I want a quick clean, prime and play.

[Belligerentparrot]

If that were the case they'd make 2nd and 3rd production runs if there has been demand enough. But their tactic is now first a major on tome only box release and when it's sold out it's gone forever. Afterwards they split it up in two factions and release the terrain seperatly, so if yo0u want to buy in later you'll be looking at some 40-50% price increase if not more. If everything still is available

Oh agreed, for me that is where the gouge is. Sorry if I wasn't clear enough initially. Those major releases are often fairly good value (by GW standards at least), they do usually keep most of the contents in production but split up as you say and with any "good value" gone. I don't mind the splitting (sometimes you only want one faction after all) but the price increases can be frankly insulting. All I was trying to say was that the practice isn't solely about manipulating consumers, it is also about increased efficiency on their end so they never blow out on a release like they sometimes used to.
I might be misremembering this but I think the practice started with the onset of Covid (when it really was uncertain how long your factory might be able to stay open)? Or was it earlier?

[beefcake]

My problem is I still have starter boxes filled with sprues from 2 previous editions and the new thing is released already. Too quick and if you don't buy in, well, bad luck.

100% agree with this. DnD 5E is coming up 10 years for this current edition. Their fanbase is increasing too. I guess they make money through their supplements for 5th ed plus al the extras they license out, computer games etc (loving Baldurs Gate 3 by the way, if you're into computer games I highly recommend it)

[dickiegranthum]

Interestingly the Marauder old dwarf re-release must not have gone so well: day one, only one command and one pack of five! Yesterday, I was checking for fun, and lo and behold: buy all you want 

GW: still screwing things up, after all these years™️

[Condottiere]

Interestingly the Marauder old dwarf re-release must not have gone so well: day one, only one command and one pack of five! Yesterday, I was checking for fun, and lo and behold: buy all you want 

GW: still screwing things up, after all these years™️

Not surprised with those prices that would dissuade most, aside from expats in Dubai or Singapore...

Did you checkout with the items in the cart? Was the limit enforced after checkout or before?

[dickiegranthum]

Not surprised with those prices that would dissuade most, aside from expats in Dubai or Singapore...

Did you checkout with the items in the cart? Was the limit enforced after checkout or before?

Originally it was before - add 1 of each. This time I added as many as I wanted. I didn’t buy any. You’re right, the price is insane.